The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called for stronger legal measures to effectively tackle the growing menace of land grabbing in Ibadan.
The monarch made the call on Wednesday while receiving the report of the anti-land-grabbing committee led by legal practitioner Niyi Akintola at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja said the persistent problem of land grabbing could be addressed through a clearly defined legal framework, stressing the need for local authorities to play a more active role.
According to him, the proposed solution should include the enactment of bye-laws by local government legislative councils in line with the Land Use Act. He said such laws should also make provision for the establishment of special tribunals to ensure speedy trial of land-related disputes and prescribe strict penalties for offenders.
The Olubadan expressed concern over the increasing use of fake legal documents, questionable survey plans, and misleading petitions in land disputes.
“We have come to a point where those involved in land grabbing must understand that enough is enough,” the monarch said.
He recounted a recent case brought before the palace involving a land claim allegedly backed by a 1912 Supreme Court judgment. Oba Ladoja described the document as suspicious, noting that it predated the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria and raised serious legal concerns.
He also condemned the use of false petitions and what he described as deliberate attempts to manipulate law enforcement agencies through baseless allegations.
The monarch further stressed the importance of ensuring that any tribunal or legal body set up to handle land grabbing cases should be made up of individuals with proven integrity, given the high level of public interest surrounding the issue.
Oba Ladoja noted that the activities of land grabbers have had a damaging effect on Ibadan’s investment climate, making it difficult to attract and sustain property-related investments in the city.
He also vowed to take decisive action against any Mogajis, Baales, or traditional title holders found to be involved in land-grabbing activities.
The report presentation was attended by several prominent chiefs and members of the Ibadan traditional council, including the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and the Asipa Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez Agagagugu.
Commending the anti-land-grabbing committee, the Olubadan praised its members for what he described as their competence, dedication, and integrity.
“Ibadan is collectively proud of you and grateful,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the committee chairman, Niyi Akintola, SAN, disclosed that the committee received 179 memoranda, in addition to several others submitted through the Palace Secretary.
He described land grabbers as highly connected groups operating through a network that cuts across key institutions and government agencies.
According to Akintola, the committee consulted a broad range of stakeholders during its assignment, including officials of the state government, local government chairmen, the police, lawyers, judges, town planners, surveyors, the Ministry of Lands, estate developers, Baales, and Mogajis.
“Your Imperial Majesty, we do not want to pronounce judgment, but the system stinks,” he said.
Akintola added that petitions and memoranda from outside Ibadan were returned to the senders, as the committee’s mandate was limited to Ibadanland.
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